Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Key Points

• Atmos Energy Corporation has received an average analyst rating of "Moderate Buy" from twelve analysts, with a 1-year target price set at approximately $158.27.
• The company recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, translating to an annualized dividend of $3.48 and a yield of 2.1%.
• Atmos Energy's latest earnings report showed a miss on EPS estimates with reported earnings of $1.16, below the consensus estimate of $1.17.

Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the twelve research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $158.2727.

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on ATO shares. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, August 17th. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $159.00 price objective (up from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $156.00 to $153.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $163.00 price objective (down from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday, August 8th.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of ATO stock traded up $1.2420 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $168.0320. 719,982 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 958,277. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $157.38 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $154.46. Atmos Energy has a 1-year low of $128.12 and a 1-year high of $168.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.25. The firm has a market cap of $26.97 billion, a PE ratio of 23.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.11 and a beta of 0.69.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.17 by ($0.01). Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.05% and a return on equity of 9.00%. The company had revenue of $838.77 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $848.97 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.08 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Atmos Energy will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.80%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 191.2% in the first quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 166 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 141.2% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 234 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $37,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the second quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $46,000. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Atmos Energy

Atmos Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated natural gas distribution, and pipeline and storage businesses in the United States. It operates through two segments, Distribution, and Pipeline and Storage. The Distribution segment is involved in the regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations in eight states.